Paul R. Lobb
PRESIDENT & CHAIR
Paul has been a Board Member for RFH since 2011. He is the President of Vicwest Building Products, a proudly Canadian manufacturer and supplier of quality exterior steel siding and roofing products for the residential and commercial construction industry. Vicwest is headquartered in Burlington, ON.
His professional development is supplemented with extensive experience in senior and executive leadership roles with well-respected multi-national manufacturing and distribution companies in the industrial, construction and consumer segments.
Paul has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Calgary, a professional accountant designation (CPA, CMA) and an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management / Schulich School of Business.
Steve Marsh
FIRST VICE PRESIDENt, Treasurer & INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Steve is is the President and Managing Partner of Business Insurance Services and Alumni Insurance Services, which provides employers and Associations of all sizes and industries with Group Benefit and Retirement Program solutions. Steve spent time in both the RHLI and the 23 Service Battalion during his formative years. A proud graduate of Mohawk College and an Alumni of Distinction, Steve has participated in the De Groote Schools of Business Board Governance programs through the United Way, which makes him well versed in areas around the board table. No stranger to the Military, even today, Steve has been involved with an organization called Camp Maple Leaf, for almost 2 decades. It's an island on Pigeon Lake, Incorporated by the Canadian Council of War Vets designed to be a living memorial for the sons and daughters of those who served, while allowing children of today to enjoy the camp experience while family members are deployed.
He lives in Burlington with his wife Rose, daughter Jaclyn, son Jarred and their favourite Havanese, Beau.
Jim Caruk
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Jim Caruk has over 40 years experience in the building industry. With close family ties to the Military (his Dad, Edward Caruk, served as Engineer, PFC Sapper and his uncle Paul Caruk, PFC Marksman, Infantry), Jim wanted to find a way to give back to the Canadian heroes that serve our country. After a friend’s son came home injured from serving overseas, Jim was surprised to learn that not all home modifications are covered by the government so he started Renos for Heroes in 2010 in order to help improve the lives of these injured Canadian soldiers.
Jim resides in Toronto and is a proud dad to two daughters and “Papa Jim-Jim” to his 5 grandchildren.
Dean Turner
BOARD MEMBER
Dean Turner is the President & CEO of F.A.S.T. Rescue Inc., an Occupational Health & Safety company of consultants and workplace safety training. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantryman where he spent 22 years with the Royal Canadian Regiment and Special Forces Canadian Airborne Regiment. His Decorations Awarded are the: Special Service Medal, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, NATO Medal for Bosnia, Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) and Canadian Airborne Regiment Jump Wings.
Dean is a member of Canadian Society of Safety Engineers, an Instructor trainer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, The Canadian Red Cross and the National Safety Council. He is also a volunteer with Canadian Red Cross Disaster Services, a member of the Treble Victor Group (3V) and an Emergency Medical Responder Instructor Trainer.
Leah (Cuffe) Trauner
BOARD MEMBER
Leah brings first-hand and personal experience to Renos for Heroes. Born and raised within a military community, Leah found herself juggling her own dreams of a career with the life of being a military spouse.
On December 05, 2008, at 03:43am, Leah was awoken by the shrill ring of her telephone – something no military loved one wants to hear at that hour. It was in these first few moments of hearing that Mike had stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), Leah started to plan the life they would have; perhaps she didn’t even realize it yet. Since Mike’s incident, Leah has thrown herself into a career she never could have imagined and it all began by being an advocate for Mike’s health and financial wellbeing.
Leah has been a trail blazer when it comes to renovating, modifying and rebuilding homes for our injured/ill Canadian Forces members by meeting with the military chain of command, policy makers, and politicians. During their 14 months at the Ottawa Rehabilitation Centre, Leah would meet with local contractors and her husband’s medical team to plan a renovation and a ground-up, barrier-free custom home build. Leah also sits on the Township of Petawawa’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Leah is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her fundraising efforts towards multiple foundations and organizations that support our service men and women. She was also nominated as one of CTV’s Most Amazing People and has received the Veterans Ombudsman Commendation for what she has done and continues to do for other injured and ill service men and women struggling with their own release, rehabilitation and recoveries. She continues to be a leading example and advocate for all.